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Arrival Procedure in the Philippines

A member of Projects Abroad staff will meet all volunteers arriving in the Philippines at Mactan-Cebu International Airport (MCIA).

Bogo City is a two and a half hour journey from Cebu. If you arrive in Cebu late at night we will arrange for you to stay in a hotel close to the airport. You will then be taken to Bogo City after 9am the next day. Volunteers who arrive during the day can expect to travel to Bogo City on the same day.

Should you arrive over the weekend, you will normally wait until the Monday to have your orientation as the bank and the post office will be closed over the weekend. Volunteers arriving on a Saturday or a Sunday will be introduced to other volunteers and you will have an opportunity to spend the weekend with them. Our Projects Abroad staff in the Philippines will keep in contact with you over the course of the weekend.

Volunteering in the Philippines: Orientation and Induction

You will have your induction at our local Projects Abroad office in Bogo City. A member of Projects Abroad staff will go through the handbook with you and they will go over all the necessary procedures relating to healthcare, communication, transport, laundry, safety and answer any questions you may have.

As part of your induction, a member of staff will introduce you to your host family and give you a brief tour around Bogo City. This will allow you to familiarise yourself with the area close to your placement and your accommodation. You will also be given the opportunity to obtain or exchange money if you need to, purchase toiletries and to make arrangements to get your local SIM card.

We will also formally introduce you to your placement supervisor and any other staff members that you will be working with. You will not be expected to begin work straight away, but this is entirely up to you.

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